Foot controlled rolling ball signal generator

ABSTRACT

A signal generator of foot controlled rolling ball to operate a main unit, a display device, or to be used as a foot exerciser or for entertaining purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (a) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a signal generator, and moreparticularly, to a foot controlled rolling ball for main unit operationor display or for exercise or entertaining purpose.

[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Foot controlled signal generators of the prior art operate bypedal control, e.g. stepping on a brake or throttle in control of anautomobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a footcontrolled rolling ball to generate signals for a main unit operation orfor display, or for exercise or entertaining purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a circuit block chart of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing that the preferred embodimentof the present invention is operated by a user in standing position;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing that the preferred embodimentof the present invention is operated by a user in seated position;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a view showing that a hand rest is added to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment taken from FIG.4;

[0011]FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the preferred embodimentof the present invention taken from FIG. 4 is operated by a user instanding position;

[0012]FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing that a user is standing on thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing that a user is standing on thepreferred embodiment of the present invention with a hand rest;

[0014]FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an integrated structure of amain unit, a display and a housing in the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an integrated structure of themain unit and the housing with the display independently provided in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an integrated structure of thedisplay and the housing with the main unit independently provided in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing that the rolling balldetection is replaced by a flat detection in another preferredembodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 13 is a schematic view that the rolling ball detection in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9 isreplaced by the flat detection;

[0019]FIG. 14 is a schematic view that the rolling ball detection in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10 isreplaced by the flat detection; and

[0020]FIG. 15 is a schematic view that the rolling ball detection in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11 isreplaced by the flat detection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Conventional foot controlled signal generator is executed bypedal control, such as stepping on a brake or a throttle in anautomobile. The present invention relates to a structure and itsapplications of a foot controlled rolling ball signal generator for mainunit operation or display, or as a foot exerciser.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 for a circuit block chart of a preferredembodiment of the present invention, wherein, a foot controlled signalgenerator is essentially comprised of:

[0023] a housing 100: made of plastic, metal or wood or other selectedmaterial, including a ball holder 101 to couple a rolling ball 102; oneor more than one segmental structure on the edge of the ball holder 101to secure and restrict the segmental structure 103; and a selectednumber of low friction bearing, roller or needle structure at selectedlocations on the ball holder 101 to support the rolling ball 102 withlow friction; the housing 100 being supported by multiples of foot instationary model or each of those feet being provided with a roller anda braking device for mobile model;

[0024] a power supply 104: comprised of a DC source converted from citypower, a rechargeable battery, a super capacitor, or other storagedevice to supply power;

[0025] a rolling ball 102: made of selected material in a full orapproximately spherical shape to be coupled to a spherical ball holder101 of the housing 100 subject to operation by foot; a couplingmechanism for the roller ball 102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing100 allowing to be removed or installed as desire, or being providedwith an optional ring or a protruding bit to prevent falling of therolling ball 102;

[0026] a detection 105: operating by means of optical-electric orelectromagnetic induction or static induction or conduction contactmeans to directly detect the motion status of the rolling ball 102; orbeing driven indirectly by the rolling ball 102 through a transmissionsystem to detect direction and momentum of the rolling ball 102; or asrequired, the detection 105 being capable of indicating rolling speed tocontrol a main unit 106 or a display 107;

[0027] an auxiliary pedal controller 108: comprised of amechano-electronic or solid-state electronic switching device; one ormore than one unit of the auxiliary pedal controller 108 beingincorporated to the housing 100 or independently provided for helpingoperation of kicking or stepping by the foot; further provided with afunction of pressure detection to be adapted to the main unit 106 or thedisplay 107 for relative control of the operation of the main unit 106or the display 107;

[0028] a main unit 106: an optional unit, comprised of amechano-electronic or a solid state electronic device, or amicroprocessor and its peripheral circuits depending on the application;furthermore, a conductor, infrared, a RF electromagnetic wave, orultrasonic equipment being provided to execute one-way or two-way wiredor wireless transmission with the detection 105, the auxiliary pedalcontroller 108, and an active propelling device 109 for relative signalprocess based on operation signals from the rolling ball 102 and theauxiliary pedal controller 108, and for driving outputs to the display107 or other devices;

[0029] the display 107: also an optional device comprised of amechano-electronic device, a solid-state electronic device, or a videoCRT, multi-point LED, or OLED combination, PLED, PDP, LCD, TNLCD, PLED,bulb, or other device converting electric power into optical energy todisplay graphics, text, indication, and alarm; and to execute one-way ortwo-way wired transmission by means of conductor or wirelesstransmission by infrared or RF electromagnetic wave or ultrasonic devicewith the main unit 106; and

[0030] the active propelling device 109: also an optional device, drivenby electromagnetic effect, air pressure, oil hydraulic means, manual, orother sources to actively provide for the rolling ball 102 programmable,cyclic, irregular propelling or flapping in a same director or variousdirections at identical or various forces, or to drive the rolling ball102 for displacement of other status to change the spacing between therolling ball 102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100 and totransmit signals to the main unit 106 by means of a flat detection 110.

[0031] The coupling plane between the rolling ball 102 and the ballholder 101 of the housing 100 is equivalent to, smaller than or slightlylarger than a semi-sphere. Alternatively, between the rolling ball 102and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100 a segmental structure 103 isprovided on the side closer to where operation takes place to facilitatemanipulation of the rolling ball 102 by foot.

[0032] Furthermore, a floating structure by magnetism may be providedbetween the rolling ball 102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100for indicating substantially absence of friction. Alternatively, apressurized gas using an air pump provided between the rolling ball 102and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100 is jetted from an outletprovided at a selected position on the ball holder 101 to float therolling ball 102, thus to reduce the friction between the rolling ball102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100.

[0033] The structure of the present invention to generate signalsthrough control of a rolling ball by foot can be applied in variousconfigurations. As illustrated in FIG. 1, it can be operated by the userin a standing or seated position. FIG. 2 illustrates that the preferredembodiment given in FIG. 1 is operated with the user in standingposition and FIG. 3, seated position. A hand rest is added to helpoperation in standing position as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.Referring to FIG. 6, a portion of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention between the hand rest 111 and the housing 100 is madefoldable, KD type, or integrated.

[0034] The size of present invention can be made selectable as required.In another preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 7, one or morethan one unit of auxiliary pedal controller 108 is provided on aplatform of the housing 100 so that the rolling ball is operated by onefoot or by both feet of one or more than one users. For consistentoperation and safety concerns, the hand rest 111 is provided on eitherside of on both sides of the housing as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0035] The main unit 106 or the display 107 may be provided as required.Either of the main unit 106 or the display 107 or both may be separatelyprovided or integrated with the housing 100. FIG. 1 shows that the mainunit and the display are separately provided. As illustrated in FIG. 9,the main unit and the display are made integrated with the housing. Thedisplay is independently provided while the main unit is integrated withthe housing as illustrated in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11, however, the mainunit is independently provided while the display is integrated with thehousing. Wherein, one or more than one active propelling device 109 andone or more than one flat detection 110 are provided between the rollingball 102 and the ball holder 101.

[0036] The manipulation means used in those preferred embodiments asrespectively illustrated in FIGS. 1, 9, 10 and 11 is comprised of thefoot controlled rolling ball 102, the detection 105 and the activepropelling device 109. Within, the detection 105 can be replaced by theflat detection 110. The flat detection 110, an optional unit, is used todetect foot operation status by means of an optical-electric,electromagnetic, ultrasonic or mechano-electronic switch and to sendsignals to the main unit 106 where comparison is made depending on thepreset comparison programs to generate relative signals for outputtingto the display 107 or other interface device. As illustrated in FIGS.12, 13, 14 and 15, the rolling ball detection in the preferredembodiments respectively shown in FIGS. 1, 9, 10 and 11 is replaced by aflat detection.

[0037] As disclosed above, the structure of the foot controlled rollingball signal generator and its applications is innovative in teaching thefoot operation to generate various relative signals that can be appliedin computer input or as a training or entertaining equipment. Therefore,the application is duly filed accordingly.

1. A signal generator of foot controlled rolling ball to operate a mainunit, a display device, or to be used as a foot exerciser or forentertaining purpose, essentially comprised of: a housing 100: made ofplastic, metal or wood or other selected material, including a ballholder 101 to couple a rolling ball 102; one or more than one segmentalstructure on the edge of the ball holder 101 to secure and restrict thesegmental structure 103; and a selected number of low friction bearing,roller or needle structure at selected locations on the ball holder 101to support the rolling ball 102 with low friction; the housing 100 beingsupported by multiples of foot in stationary model or each of those feetbeing provided with a roller and a braking device for mobile model; apower supply 104: comprised of a DC source converted from city power, arechargeable battery, a super capacitor, or other storage device tosupply power; a rolling ball 102: made of selected material in a full orapproximately spherical shape to be coupled to a spherical ball holder101 of the housing 100 subject to operation by foot; a couplingmechanism for the roller ball 102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing100 allowing to be removed or installed as desire, or being providedwith an optional ring or a protruding bit to prevent falling of therolling ball 102; a detection 105: operating by means ofoptical-electric or electromagnetic induction or static induction orconduction contact means to directly detect the motion status of therolling ball 102; or being driven indirectly by the rolling ball 102through a transmission system to detect direction and momentum of therolling ball 102; or as required, the detection 105 being capable ofindicating rolling speed to control a main unit 106 or a display 107; anauxiliary pedal controller 108: comprised of a mechano-electronic orsolid-state electronic switching device; one or more than one unit ofthe auxiliary pedal controller 108 being incorporated to the housing 100or independently provided for helping operation of kicking or steppingby the foot; further provided with a function of pressure detection tobe adapted to the main unit 106 or the display 107 for relative controlof the operation of the main unit 106 or the display 107; a main unit106: an optional unit, comprised of a mechano-electronic or a solidstate electronic device, or a microprocessor and its peripheral circuitsdepending on the application; furthermore, a conductor, infrared, a RFelectromagnetic wave, or ultrasonic equipment being provided to executeone-way or two-way wired or wireless transmission with the detection105, the auxiliary pedal controller 108, and an active propelling device109 for relative signal process based on operation signals from therolling ball 102 and the auxiliary pedal controller 108, and for drivingoutputs to the display 107 or other devices; the display 107: also anoptional device comprised of a mechano-electronic device, a solid-stateelectronic device, or a video CRT, multi-point LED, or OLED combination,PLED, PDP, LCD, TNLCD, PLED, bulb, or other device converting electricpower into optical energy to display graphics, text, indication, andalarm; and to execute one-way or two-way wired transmission by means ofconductor or wireless transmission by infrared or RF electromagneticwave or ultrasonic device with the main unit 106; and the activepropelling device 109: also an optional device, driven byelectromagnetic effect, air pressure, oil hydraulic means, manual, orother sources to actively provide for the rolling ball 102 programmable,cyclic, irregular propelling or flapping in a same director or variousdirections at identical or various forces, or to drive the rolling ball102 for displacement of other status to change the spacing between therolling ball 102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100 and totransmit signals to the main unit 106 by means of a flat detection 110.2. A signal generator of foot controlled rolling ball as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, the coupling plane between the rolling ball 102 andthe ball holder 101 of the housing 100 is equivalent to, smaller than orslightly larger than a semi-sphere; or alternatively, between therolling ball 102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100 a segmentalstructure 103 is provided on the side closer to where operation takesplace to facilitate manipulation of the rolling ball 102 by foot.
 3. Asignal generator of foot controlled rolling ball as claimed in claim 1,a floating structure by magnetism is provided between the rolling ball102 and the ball holder 101 of the housing 100 for indicatingsubstantially absence of friction; alternatively, a pressurized gasusing an air pump provided between the rolling ball 102 and the ballholder 101 of the housing 100 is jetted from an outlet provided at aselected position on the ball holder 101 to float the rolling ball 102,thus to reduce the friction between the rolling ball 102 and the ballholder 101 of the housing
 100. 4. A signal generator of foot controlledrolling ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a hand rest is added tohelp operation in standing position and a portion of the preferredembodiment of the present invention between the hand rest 111 and thehousing 100 is made foldable, KD type, or integrated.
 5. A signalgenerator of foot controlled rolling ball as claimed in claim 1,wherein, the size of the rolling ball is selectable by providing one ormore than one unit of auxiliary pedal controller 108 on a platform ofthe housing 100 so to allow the rolling ball to be operated by one footor by both feet of one or more than one users.
 6. A signal generator offoot controlled rolling ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein, asrequired, either of the main unit 106 or the display 107 is or both areprovided, and either separately or integrated with the housing
 100. 7. Asignal generator of foot controlled rolling ball as claimed in claim 1,wherein, one or more than one active propelling device 109 and one ormore than one flat detection 110 are provided between the rolling ball102 and the ball holder
 101. 8. A signal generator of foot controlledrolling ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the detection 105 of themanipulation means comprised of the foot controlled rolling ball 102,the detection 105 and the active propelling device 109 is replaced bythe flat detection 110 to detect foot operation status by means of anoptical-electric, electromagnetic, ultrasonic or mechano-electronicswitch and to send signals to the main unit 106 where comparison is madedepending on the preset comparison programs to generate relative signalsfor outputting to the display 107 or other interface device.